US 12,009,166 B2
Force switch
Kevin W. Smith, Coral Gables, FL (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Oct. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/452,051.
Application 16/729,006 is a division of application No. 16/242,548, filed on Jan. 8, 2019, granted, now 10,586,669, issued on Mar. 10, 2020.
Application 16/242,548 is a division of application No. 15/894,361, filed on Feb. 12, 2018, granted, now 10,217,582, issued on Jun. 14, 2018.
Application 15/894,361 is a division of application No. 15/496,896, filed on Apr. 25, 2017, granted, now 9,934,920, issued on Apr. 3, 2018.
Application 15/496,896 is a division of application No. 14/495,232, filed on Sep. 24, 2014, granted, now 9,666,389, issued on May 30, 2017.
Application 14/495,232 is a division of application No. 14/036,630, filed on Sep. 25, 2013, granted, now 8,872,046, issued on Oct. 28, 2014.
Application 14/036,630 is a division of application No. 13/571,159, filed on Aug. 9, 2012, granted, now 8,592,700, issued on Nov. 26, 2013.
Application 13/571,159 is a division of application No. 12/728,471, filed on Mar. 22, 2010, granted, now 8,269,121, issued on Sep. 18, 2012.
Application 12/728,471 is a division of application No. 12/270,518, filed on Nov. 13, 2008, granted, now 7,714,239, issued on May 11, 2010.
Application 12/270,518 is a division of application No. 11/750,622, filed on May 18, 2007, granted, now 7,479,608, issued on Jan. 20, 2009.
Application 17/452,051 is a continuation of application No. 16/729,006, filed on Dec. 27, 2019, granted, now 11,183,349.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/902,534, filed on Feb. 21, 2007.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/858,112, filed on Nov. 9, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/810,272, filed on Jun. 2, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/801,989, filed on May 19, 2006.
Prior Publication US 2022/0181107 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01H 35/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/115 (2006.01); A61B 17/72 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); H01H 9/06 (2006.01); H01H 11/00 (2006.01); H01H 13/14 (2006.01); H01H 13/18 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 35/14 (2013.01) [A61B 17/00 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/115 (2013.01); H01H 9/06 (2013.01); H01H 11/00 (2013.01); H01H 13/14 (2013.01); H01H 13/18 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 17/72 (2013.01); A61B 2090/032 (2016.02); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); H01H 2203/00 (2013.01); H01H 2235/01 (2013.01); H01H 2300/014 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49105 (2015.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of adjusting a switch of a device, comprising:
using a biasing force-adjusting element, adjusting a magnitude of a biasing force imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element disposed about the switching element, wherein:
the biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a first electrical state and the second position corresponding to a second electrical state;
the biasing force-adjusting element comprises a stop element;
the switching element comprises a bias contact;
the biasing element:
is disposed about at least a portion of the switching element between the stop element and the bias contact; and
is a compression spring compressed between the bias contact and the stop element around the switching element to bias the switching element in a direction away from the stop element.